Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters [Paperback]

Erika Knight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Millions of thoroughly modern knitters, including a growing number under the age of thirty-five, will applaud the fresh interpretations featured in Simple Knits with a Twist, Erika Knight's latest collection of creative designs. By matching classic stitches with other craft techniques and incorporating innovative materials like fine wire, beads, and recycled plastic with conventional yarns, Knight takes knitting beyond its traditional boundaries into new, inspired realms. Easy yet inventive, her projects bring a hip, artsy edge to items once deemed homespun. The twenty projects-which include wire napkin rings, an Aran armchair cover, a patchwork throw, and a beaded silk scarf-teach knitters how to add such creative skills as felting, patchwork, and beading to their repertoires. Each project is featured in a full-page color photo and in close-up how-to shots. For beginners with contemporary tastes and accomplished knitters interested in expanding their range, Simple Knits with a Twist presents a world of possibilities.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Knight’s brand of knitting and purling only vaguely resembles the art form practiced by millions of grandmothers. Although she uses needles, in her projects yarn is a variable; it’s often replaced by such diverse materials as ribbon, wire, strips of plastic and gauze. And the patterns that do use yarn go way beyond the usual patchwork scarves and lumpy sweaters. The 20 patterns here range from simple to truly byzantine. Beginners might try their hand at the Woven Woolen Rug, which employs remnants of yarn and calls for a basic stockinette stitch. The Aran Armchair Cover, on the other hand, will probably intimidate newcomers, as it requires knowledge of the reverse stockinette stitch, seed stitch, raspberry stitch, twisted stitch, diamond panel and fat cable. To her credit, Knight (Simple Crochet; Simple Knits for Little Cherubs; etc.) does explain techniques up front and uses color photographs to demonstrate steps. If nothing else, her book will encourage knitters to think beyond hats and mittens, and consider using knitting techniques to create wall hangings, dog coats, wire bowls, napkin rings or boudoir slippers.
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About the Author

ERIKA KNIGHT is the author of Simple Crochet, Simple Knits for Little Cherubs, Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, and Comforts of Home. In addition to writing books, she works as a fashion and design consultant. She lives in Brighton, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang; First Printing edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584793619
• ISBN-13: 978-1584793618
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational rather than practical May 7, 2005

By Makiko Itoh

Format:Paperback

Erika Knight's books for knitting and crocheting home accessories

Simple Knits, Simple Crochet) are beautiful, yet it's hard to recommend them if you are looking for practical how-tos. They should be regarded as inspiration and idea books really. I would even put them into the category of "Knitting (or crocheting) coffee table books". It's not that they don't have instructions - they do. The problem is, that the instructions are a bit too abbreviated or even a bit slapdash for true beginners, but the actual projects are too basic for the more experienced knitter. The projects in this book for example almost all use either simple stockinette or garter stitches. Shaping is very basic too. The sole exception is the chair cover

That being said, this book is just lovely to look at, and quite inspirational. And if you decide to tackle any of the projects they turn out beautifully. The caveat with simple designs such as these is that they really bring focus to the quality of the yarns you use - meaning, they rather shout out for the expensive (brand) yarns that are used.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great for creative knitters June 19, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I consult this book more than follow the patterns - and I have really enjoyed it. If you like to knit, and to use patterns as a departure rather than a construction manual, this is a fine book to look into. I should add that I'm neither novice nor really experienced but an accessory knitter who enjoys trying new things. And as far as knitting plastic bags goes, that's an old practice as well as a great way to recycle and the bags are surprisingly strong. Mine have lasted far longer than they took to knit!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars not really worth the money July 27, 2004

By Pamcakes

Format:Paperback

This book doesn't come close to being true to it's title. Simple? I think not. The "patterns" are more on the confusing side of things, and as one reviewer mentioned, seemed to be more like guidelines rather than actual patterns. There were only two projects in the whole book that even appealed to me; the aran armchair cover and the flower trimmed evening bag. If you have a more ecclectic flair you might find this book to your liking. The pictures in the book also tend to show a close up view of the project without showing you what the whole project looks like completed. I would recommend checking it out from the library first and to leaf through to see if it is your kind of book, otherwise you might end up just as disappointed as me.

75 of 92 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Curiosity June 15, 2004

By Rebecca Haden VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

In general, I don't think anyone should review a knitting book without having made some of the projects in it, but for this book I am making an exception. If you want to knit a shopping bag with strips of old plastic bags (I think it would wear out in less time than it took to cut all the bags into little strips, never mind the actual knitting) or napkin rings with wire, this book will inspire you to do it. I won't say it will tell you how, because the patterns are more of a concept than a specific pattern. An experienced knitter could follow them -- but an experienced knitter could also do those things without a pattern. And the knitter who is feeling a bit jaded, bored with merely making sweaters out of yarn, and ready to do something exotic may find a starting point here.
But is it practical to have a white Aran slipcover for a chair? Could you let anyone sit on it after you had made it? And that was my favorite pattern in the book. Would a beanbag chair of knitting and denim hold its shape? Would you wear a pre-laddered sweater? Could a pink poodle-shaped wine bottle remain amusing for more than a day or two? I truly don't think these are patterns to be made and used, as much as they are exercises in how to push the knitting envelope.
It is a very attractive book. If you think of it as a conceptual art exhibit, you might enjoy it. But the projects are extreme and, I would think, impractical.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and creative ideas July 25, 2004

By LizO

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Someone else mentioned that this book has a lot of impractical projects. I happen to think that this book inspires one to think about knitting for your environment instead of just your head, neck, torso and extremities. In addition, using materials that you normally would not think to use.

I haven't tried many of the projects in this book but have tried knitting with wire. It's a challenging media but makes for an interesting fabric. Again, the author helps inspire you to think of knitting in a different way.

The instructions for new knitters are kind of confusing and as a new knitter myself it is a little frustrating but I had never thought of using my knitting in such unique ways. When I get bored with the usual projects, I take this book out to get my creative juices flowing. This book is a keeper.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable August 25, 2005

By A. Nisbett

Format:Paperback

I enjoyed this book. Although the projects are not for everyday practical items, being a creative sort rather than a practical sort, I found Simple Knits with a Twist encouraged thinking beyond the norm and also promoted recycling of items, such as plastic bags, and leftover yarn. It was helpful to me becaue although I love knitting and crocheting, I don't necessarily enjoy making the same "type" of items all the time, its just enjoyable to make something that is interesting, rather than practical. I agree with other reviews though in that the patterns don't go into great depth, so you will require some knitting know-how to be able to complete the projects. Otherwise it is a very attractive book and nice to flick through the pages.